Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Photo source: Whitsunday Anglican School (Facebook) Whitsunday Anglican School’s Kindy to Year 2 students enjoyed a fun-filled Athletics Carnival, with young athletes taking part in running, jumping and throwing events while showing plenty of enthusiasm, determination and House spirit. Supported by Senior School volunteers, the day celebrated participation, encouragement and the strong sense of community across the school. See more photos here: www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/little-legs-big-spirit-at-whitsunday-anglican-schools-kindy-carnival
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Leading Mackay real estate business REMAX Select has announced the appointment of highly respected business professional Samantha Self as General Manager. The appointment is set to further strengthen the agency's high-performing team across the Mackay region, with Principal Nikita Kinnane describing Ms Self's arrival as an exciting step forward for the business. “We are heading in a really exciting direction with our business, and I cannot be more excited to have Samantha join our leadership team to build on that momentum,” Ms Kinnane said. Ms Kinnane said the recruitment process was focused on finding a leader whose values aligned with those of the business, it was Ms Self's shared commitment to those values and vision that made her the ideal candidate. "Samantha will play an important role in shaping the future REMAX Select, bringing exceptional experience in property, management and leadership to help drive growth and innovation, and this will flow into enhancing every aspect of our business. "Importantly, Samantha shares our core values and commitment to putting Mackay first, and we share the same drive to really make impactful change, bring big city ideas and execute them in our own country girl way.” It was the core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, excellence and trust that Ms Self aligned with, sharing her goal to continue to build on the trust and integrity the agency has established in Mackay, while supporting the continued growth and development of both the team and business. “I’m excited to take on the role of general manager and work alongside Nikita and the entire team at REMAX Select,” Ms Self said. “REMAX Select has a strong team with exceptional talent which is highly respected throughout the community and I’m excited to be part of its continued success.” Ms Self steps into the role after eight years as retail manager of the largest shopping centre in northern Australia. During that time, she was the key driver of building positive, collaborative relationships with retailers, creating an environment where retailers were genuine partners in success. Having led sales performance analysis and market insight initiatives, Ms Self said she looks forward to applying her knowledge and experience to support the continued success of the REMAX Select team. “I am dedicated to empowering our team members through training and development opportunities, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed,” she said. “My goal is to continue to foster the team’s culture of professionalism, responsiveness and customer-first approach and I look forward to collaborating with our talented agents and staff to create a dynamic and successful environment here at REMAX Select.” REMAX Select is an award-winning real estate business, recently recognised as the 2025 REIQ Medium Agency of the Year and finalist at the 2026 REIA National Awards for Excellence. The office consistently ranks in the National Top 10 Offices in the REMAX Australia network, recognised as the #3 individual office for commissions and transactions at the REMAX Australia Annual Awards 2025 earlier this year, where they were also named a finalist for the network’s community service award and special achievement in marketing for an office award. REMAX Select is located at 133B Victoria Street, Mackay. Contact (07)4829 4612 or visit remax.com.au/select/ for an award winning real estate experience. Newly appointed General Manager, Samantha Self (Left) with REMAX Select Principal Nikita Kinnane (Right).
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In 2000, Peter and Denise Phillips laid the foundation for what would become one of Mackay’s most recognisable holistic, all in one property, insurance and financial services ecosystem. Starting as a Mortgage Choice franchise, Gardian was built on a commitment to helping people make confident financial decisions with local people in the know! Over the decades, that foundation has steadily evolved. Today, Gardian encompasses a wide range of services, including all manner of finance, general and business insurance, financial planning, real estate sales, property management, and commercial sales, management and leasing. What began as a single offering has grown into an integrated business model serving individuals, families, businesses, and community across the region. Now, the organisation enters its next chapter. After many years at the helm with her late husband Peter, Denise Phillips will step down from her role as Managing Director. Her leadership has been central to Gardian’s growth — not just in size, but in culture, reputation, and its connection to the local community. Taking over the role is Ben Phillips, Owner/Director and Head of Gardian Finance. Having been closely involved in all aspects of the business and its clients, he brings both continuity and a forward-looking perspective to the position. Leadership transitions often mark defining moments for organisations. In this case, the change represents both the continuation of a strong legacy and the opportunity to build on it. The evolution of Gardian — from a small franchise to a diversified advisory group — reflects the importance of adaptability, strategic growth, and staying aligned to core values to the community. For the Mackay business community, this transition highlights the strength of long-term vision and succession planning, particularly within locally grown enterprises. It also reinforces the impact that leadership grounded in community and relationships can have over time. As Gardian moves forward under new leadership, it does so with deep roots, a clear purpose, and a platform built for continued growth.
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I don’t know about you, but I find morning TV hosts incredibly annoying. I rarely get to see them, with their contrived laughter, over-the-top friendliness, stupid nicknames for each other, make-up and perfect hair cuts. But sometimes, if there has been some event that might interest me, or if I’m curious about what’s going on, I might flick on the TV and see what’s happening as I’m getting ready for work. I immediately regret it and start flicking channels to try to find someone bearable. It’s a challenge that usually lasts a couple of minutes before I turn the TV off and do something much more pleasant, like go to work. I did like Karl Stefanovic but he has been flicked, apparently because his employer didn’t like his podcast guests. There seemed something real about Karl but he was an island in a sea of fakery so there’s no point in me turning on Channel 9 anymore. There’s an Irish journalist/host on ABC TV, Catherine Murphy, who I also like. She’s funny and real and seems to want to stick to simply presenting a story in her slightly quirky style without imposing an agenda. But that’s about it for me. One thing the morning shows have an abundance of is “experts”. Whatever the drama that’s emerged, there’s an expert to explain it to you, pull it apart and tell you how concerned you should be. The expert needs to do it in about 17 seconds because everyone is going to get bored soon and we’ve got an ad break coming up. The more dramatic the event and the more it impacts the loyal viewers, the more vital it is that an expert is on hand. The current disaster of note it a neat combo: the economy/inflation/interest rates/housing downturn. This is the type of news drama you want when you’re planning the show because it affects the viewers, hits their hip pockets. But experts are everywhere in the media on this one, not just the morning shows. They’re out there giving their views on interest rates (some say they will go up, others say they will go down), the economy (some say it will be okay, others say we are headed for a recession), inflation (some say it will get worse and others say it will ease). Part of this blockbuster, of course, is house prices. Some experts say prices will drop in big cities like Sydney and Brisbane. Others say they will drop everywhere. Some say there will be a small, temporary drop but things will soon start going up again because there is a lack of housing supply across the nation. One group of experts that are worth paying attention to are the valuers from Herron Todd White, who put out their monthly property clock, which is a snapshot of how they see particular markets. The position on the clock face a particular city is located (we’re talking analogue here kids, not digital) tells you where it sits in the market. Twelve o’clock is top of the market, 3 o’clock is a falling market, 6 o’clock is the bottom of the market, 9 o’clock is a rising market. Things can change quickly and there a times a property can go from falling market to bottom of the market and up to rising market very quickly. HTW’s June clock would have been a challenge for them because tax changes and other events had happened but their longer-term impacts are unclear. They had Bundaberg and Toowoomba at the top of the market, Sydney at 2 o’clock and starting to decline, The Whitsundays, Gladstone and Sunshine Coast approaching the top of the market and Mackay, along with Rocky, Townsville and Cairns, in a rising market. Most agents in Mackay will tell you there has been a change but there is still activity, investors are still engaged and properties are selling. Most are being alert, not alarmed.
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Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million.
By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts.
The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging.
The APLC has been developing a simulation model to predict locust population dynamics across their entire range. This model predicts the development, survival, and behaviour of locusts across all life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults.
However, locusts inhabit a vast range of more than 2 million square kilometres, so deploying the model is challenging. Field surveys alone cannot provide enough coverage to initialise the model.
But artificial intelligence is changing the game. The APLC has partnered with the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) to develop a new AI-driven model. The machine learning algorithms developed have incorporated 37 years of locust data with high-resolution weather, vegetation, and soil records to generate more accurate short-term forecasts (up to 90%).
These AI models will not only initialise the population dynamics model but also enhance field survey targeting, leading to more reliable on-the-ground surveillance. Additionally, they will support better planning and resource allocation.
Thanks to a growing ecosystem of models, the APLC is now better equipped to predict locust populations, making it easier to forecast their changes in response to Australia's highly variable climate. This will enable governments and industry to prepare and respond more effectively.
The APLC plans to integrate this AI-driven forecasting system into a new online data dashboard. This will further support enhanced locust predictions, enable real-time monitoring, and improve response strategies.
Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera). Photo credit: P.D. Amara / Flickr
Reform of global agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the World Trade Organization would support better environmental and food security outcomes, according to the latest ABARES Insights paper.
Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville, said taxpayers and consumers bear the brunt of hundreds of billions of dollars spent every year on agricultural support policies that inadvertently create adverse environmental impacts.
“Some forms of agricultural support distort production decisions in a way that encourages excess production and the use of inputs above and beyond what the market demands,” Dr Jared Greenville said.
“This excess can lead to environmental harm in the form of more emissions and more chemical use.”
The most environmentally harmful agricultural support policies, such as tariffs, price floors and payments linked to agricultural inputs and production, cost taxpayers and consumers around the world US$472 billion a year, between 2019 to 2023. This figure climbs to US$671 billion a year when export restrictions and other market price-deflating policies are included.
Europe and Asia provided the most environmentally harmful support as a share of farm income between 2019 and 2023. Australia and New Zealand recorded some of the lowest levels.
The report, Addressing Environmental Harm: Reforming Agricultural Support, details how removing and redirecting environmentally harmful support has the capacity to improve environmental outcomes.
Dr Greenville said the report details that “what is good for efficient global agricultural production is also good for the environment”.
“It is possible to minimise the environmental impacts of agriculture without compromising food security,” he said.
Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville. Photo credit: Lisa McKelvie
As Easter school holidays begin, I’d like to extend my warmest wishes to all Mackay families. This is a special time for reflection, celebration, and most importantly, enjoying some well-earned rest and quality time with loved ones.
While you’re out and about exploring our beautiful region or heading further afield, I urge everyone to take care on the roads. Whether you're off on a family camping trip or just popping down to the local shops, please remember to drive safely. Let’s look out for one another and ensure everyone gets home safely to their families this Easter.
To help spread some festive fun, our office is excited to be running a Year 2 Easter Colouring Competition!
If your child is in Grade 2 and didn’t receive a sheet through school, you're more than welcome to collect one from our office. We’ve got delicious Easter-themed prizes waiting for some lucky and creative young artists!
And for extra convenience, entries can also be submitted online. Simply take a clear photo or scan of your child’s finished masterpiece and email it to mackay@parliament.qld.gov.au or message it to us via our Facebook page. Just make sure to include your child's name, school, and contact details so we can get in touch with our winners!
We’re also taking a moment to celebrate the exceptional talent that shines in Mackay. Congratulations to Donald MacGregor from Mackay Christian College on his outstanding performance at the 2025 Basel Piano Competition. His dedication and artistry are a credit to his school and to CQUniversity, which continues to offer incredible opportunities for young achievers in our region.
As we celebrate Easter, may this season of renewal bring joy, peace, and safety to every household. Whether it's time spent around the table, at a community event, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature, let’s embrace what matters most.
We would also like to remind families to stay vigilant about the dangers of button batteries in the lead up to the Easter holidays. Parents and caregivers are being urged to avoid products with button batteries where possible – or if they are purchased, to ensure they have a child-resistant battery compartment.
Happy Easter, Mackay – stay safe, stay kind, and don’t forget to get those colouring entries in!
Nigel Dalton MP
Member for Mackay
Progress on the Moranbah Hospital Redevelopment continues with construction of the new onsite helipad now close to completion.
Following the new Moranbah Hospital opening on 26 November 2024, the old hospital was handed over to managing contractor Hutchinson Builders for decommissioning and demolition in preparation for construction of the new onsite helipad.
Contractors poured more than 98 cubic metres of concrete and completed more than 400 square metres of flat work to establish the helipad concrete slab. Light installation and landscaping is now underway. Upon completion, the project team will work through the helipad’s operational requirements.
The helipad is located next to the new hospital to facilitate inter-hospital patient transfers. Establishing the hospital’s first on-campus helipad will ensure patients in need of time-critical and advanced care receive inter-hospital transfers more efficiently.
Demolition of the old hospital was undertaken throughout January and February this year, signalling the end of an era for Moranbah’s first hospital that served the community for 50 years.
It was certainly a bittersweet day for staff who worked in the old facility for many years and were able to walk through the facility one last time before its demolition.
The Moranbah Hospital Redevelopment project is part of the Queensland Government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program.
By Mackay Hospital and Health Service
If you felt the earth tremble recently, it wasn’t an earthquake—it was the sonic boom of Australia’s track and field stars obliterating limits and blowing minds.
At the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout ran so fast in the men’s 200m final (a wind-assisted 19.84 seconds), we’re pretty sure his spikes are still smoking. With a +2.2 m/s tailwind nudging him along, it’s not eligible for record books—but try telling that to the jaws still on the ground. The time still places him among the fastest under-20 athletes globally, beating the GOAT Bolt and trailing only Erriyon Knighton. The teen also dropped a cheeky sub-10 in the under-20 100m (9.99s, wind-assisted).
Not to be outdone, Peter Bol stormed through the 800m in a blistering 1:43.79, smashing his own national record. This is the same guy who bounced back from a bogus doping scandal, proof that Bol doesn’t just run fast, he runs strong. If resilience was a lane, he’d have lapped us all twice by now.
And while the sprinters were frying the track in Perth, Matthew Denny was sending the discus into orbit overseas. His 74.78m national record would’ve been a world record, had it not been for Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna, who casually broke the actual world record in the same comp with a gravity-defying 75.56m. The first human ever to go over 75 metres. It was less a discus comp, more a Marvel origin story.
Closer to home, flick to page 35 to catch local gun Toby Rule, who lined up on the very same Perth track as Gout and Bol and took a whopping four seconds off his PB to crack the elusive 4-minute mark in the U20 1500m. That’s not just running, it’s rewriting personal history with turbocharged shoes. And while we’re on high-speed local heroes, check out David O’Connell, also on page 35, who spun his way onto the masters national podium with a brilliant bronze at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.
This golden age of Aussie athletics is reminding us of something timeless: no matter how far you’ve come, you can always push that little bit further. And if you’re Gout Gout, you might just need a passport for it.
Amanda
There was a time, many years ago, when buyers were a rare species in the Mackay region.
Hardly ever seen or heard, they would occasionally turn up at an open house, avoid eye contact with another threatened species, the agent, and quickly flee before anyone could trick them into buying anything.
You would sit alone at what was given the hopeful label of an “open” house and thank the dear Lord that some brainiac had invented this new smart phone thingo that meant you had something to do during the demoralising 30 minutes you had dedicated to this cruel, lonely exercise in futility.
Then, one day, people started turning up. A trickle at first, just having a look. Then people noticed that rents had started going up and a bright idea started to form: it might be a good idea to buy a house.
Soon this once-threatened species started to flourish. You would see them arrive at open homes; occasionally an individual member of the species, often a pair looking together, sometimes it was one or two younger ones in their 20s with their parents.
Over recent years buyers have flourished; they now travel in hordes, marauding through the suburbs fighting over the scarce offerings of a tight market.
But buyers have evolved and there is now a new, aggressive sub-species called The Southern Investor. This sub-species is very determined, focused and ruthless. The Southern Investor researches the Mackay market and is cashed up and ready to pounce.
What does it all mean for a real estate agent? How do you handle all these buyers, the locals and the southerner investors.
The one thing that is very clear is that an agent’s core responsibility is to get the best possible price for their client, the seller, within what are clear ethical and legal boundaries.
All offers must be presented to a seller and they must be given all relevant information so they can make informed decisions. And last year it was usually the southern investor making the higher offers and getting the prize.
That has changed this year and, while southern investors are still very much in the market, locals are fighting back.
I had two open homes last weekend: one was a property over the $1m mark that had 35 groups and six offers. All attendees were locals and all the offers came from locals. The other open house was at a low-set brick property that needed a bit of work but had lots of potential … that one got about 16 groups but received about 20 offers.
The reason the second one had more offers than people in attendance was because of the interest from southern investors.
Most of the strong offers came from southern investors but the offer that was accepted by the sellers was from a local couple.
One of the problems with southern investors is that they have not seen the property and, for that reason, they are often surprised when they receive the building and pest report and then ask for a significant reduction in the price.
One of the advantages of being a local buyer is that you can look at the property, discuss any shortcomings with the agent and factor those issues into the price you offer.
The sellers accepted the offer from the locals on the weekend because they had more confidence with people who had seen the house, spoken with me about issues that needed to be addressed and had factored that into their offer. The sellers had more trust in the local buyers than the southern investors.
My job is to act in the best interests of my sellers. But it is great when that aligns with local buyers getting a chance.
In a touching display of unity and compassion, Whitsunday Anglican School’s 2025 Service Captains – Lachlan, Charli and Tahsin – have led a heartfelt initiative to support families in need across the Mackay region.
Partnering with The Neighbourhood Hub, the School community rallied behind their call, gathering school essentials for those who may not otherwise have access to these basic but vital items. From pens and pencils to backpacks, books, lunchboxes, and hats, every donation was a quiet reminder that small gestures can make a big difference.
“Our students and wider Whitsunday family have donated items such as pens, pencils, books, backpacks, lunchboxes, hats and more,” a representative from Whitsunday Anglican School said.
“Together, we're making a difference, one act of kindness at a time.”
Melissa Green, Director of the Mackay Community Foundation, personally visited the School to receive the donations on behalf of the community.
There was something poetic in the quiet determination of these students, a belief that change can begin with the contents of a schoolbag. It’s more than just giving supplies – it’s about giving hope.
In a world where kindness sometimes whispers, Whitsunday Anglican School chose to speak loudly with love.
Photo source: Whitsunday Anglican School (Facebook)
For over 135 years, The Salvation Army has stood as a pillar of Christian faith and compassion, walking alongside those in crisis and extending hope through the love of Jesus.
In Mackay, that mission continues to shine through the work of Ministers David and Belinda Dobbie, who are not just spiritual leaders, but active members of a community they love.
At the core of the Mackay Salvos’ outreach is a deep commitment to supporting individuals through life’s many challenges, which often include financial hardship, domestic violence, addiction, and the mounting pressures of everyday life.
“We help people because of our faith,” David said.
“We know the freedom we get through Jesus, which is why we’re so passionate about helping our community.”
Every week, their doors open to those in need, offering a helping hand where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. Mackay Corps opening times are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 2:30pm, with Salvo Connect available from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
“People come to us as a safe space,” David shared.
“We’ve seen amazing transformations in people – and that’s the power of Jesus.”
Last Christmas, the Salvos distributed 300 food hampers and helped 600 children receive toys. While these gifts were wrapped with love and delivered by The Salvation Army, they were made possible by the generosity of the wider community.
As Easter approaches, the Dobbie's encourage reflection on the season’s message of sacrifice, hope, and new beginnings.
“Easter is really important for the faith community,” David said.
“The impact that Jesus has on people’s lives is transformative – and through the Salvation Army, we’re able to walk with them in their struggles. But it’s through Jesus that their lives are truly turned around.”
With a growing footprint in Bowen and Airlie Beach and plans for further outreach, the Mackay Salvation Army continues to embody its mission – to live, love and fight alongside others with the heart of Christ.
This Easter, all are invited to join their services and experience the hope and grace found in Jesus Christ.
Pastor David Dobbie, Leading Minister of the Mackay Salvation Army Church. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Crossroad Arts’ Annual Giving Day launched with flair and plenty of coffee on Tuesday, April 15, thanks to the support of the Mackay Chamber of Commerce. Kicking off bright and early with a buzzing B2B networking event, the Chamber hosted its fortnightly breakfast catch-up at Crossroad’s Shakespeare Street HQ — all in the name of art, inclusion and doubling your dollar.
Guests were greeted with coffee orders taken by Crossroad staff and brewed by local favourite Willow and Bloom, followed by a heartfelt welcome message and a surprise performance from the Crossroad Arts crew.
The novelty cheque photo booth saw steady action all day, as donations poured in and each dollar was doubled in impact. A live painting session brought colour and creativity throughout the afternoon, while a lunchtime performance by Lucas Gakowski kept the energy flowing.
In a show of wide-reaching support, representatives from all levels of government attended to help raise awareness and amplify the cause — including Mayor Greg Williamson, Deputy Mayor Karen May, councillors Heath Paton, Alison Jones and Nathenea MacRae, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Senator Bridget McKenzie and State Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton.
With community spirit, a few caffeine hits and the power of matched giving, the day was a vibrant reminder of the role art plays in connecting and empowering us all.
Supporters, artists, and dignitaries gathered for Crossroad Arts' Annual Giving Day, helping to double donations and celebrate inclusive creativity. Photos supplied by the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce
Mackay City Centre businesses are being encouraged to “hop” into the spotlight, as Daly Bay Illuminate heads to our city heart.
One of the highlights of the annual Mackay Festival Arts, Daly Bay Illuminate will this year feature eight enormous amphibian installations, called Night Walkers by Amigo & Amigo.
These enormous, illuminated frogs will be scattered around the city alongside spectacular artworks by local and national artists, which will be projected onto our iconic buildings.
Mayor Greg Williamson said Daly Bay Illuminate would be held throughout the City Centre for the first time, bringing with it so many opportunities for businesses to be a part of the action.
“Illuminate is such a major drawcard of the Festival of Arts program and activating our city in this way will bring so much benefit in increased foot traffic,” Mayor Williamson said.
“We want businesses to decorate their shop fronts, stay open later, host special events and join with us to promote the event so everyone can benefit,” he said.
“We don’t want any businesses to be left on the lily pad!”
Festival and Events Coordinator Phoebe Short said her team had been successful in securing Festivals Australia funding to expand this amazing event.
“Each of the locations chosen is easily accessible for everyone and offers a variety of activities,” Ms Short said.
“We encourage festivalgoers to dine out in the City Centre before visiting the different locations to view the art projections and Night Walkers,” she said.
Ms Short said running alongside Daly Bay Illuminate, from July 24 to July 27, would be the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub at Caneland Park.
“A feature of the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub is the live music, mouthwatering street food and stunning visual displays, including beautiful art created by the community,” she said.
The full map of the Daly Bay Illuminate locations and all of the activities being offered will be featured in the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts program and website, launching on May 1.
Ribbiting times are ahead as giant inflatable amphibians leap into the City Centre for Daly Bay Illuminate this July. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council
Looking forward is about not only career growth and accomplishment but also personal development and fulfilment. It also provides a sense of purpose and direction, as well as personal revitalisation.
Here are some key reasons why looking forward is essential to career growth:
To review your future focus seek some assistance from a trusted personal career guide. CareerForce Australia can provide that individualised support - contact me at powerup@careerforceaustralia.com.au or 0409 894 131 to learn more.
The Bowen Health Connection event united local community members and health service providers for a day devoted to health and wellbeing across the entire spectrum of life, from babies to the elderly.
Brought to life through the hard work and dedication of Stephanie Cora, executive officer of the Bowen Community Centre, and Josephine Ferguson, community liaison officer with the Together Strong, Connected Care program. The inspiration for the event struck Josephine whilst she was attending a Women's Forum held at Cannonvale Tafe. The forum kindled the flames of an idea: why not host a similar event in Bowen, an event catered to everyone ?
“The intention of the event was to not just focus on women's health but health in general for people of all age groups, whether you're a parent with a new-born or a senior seeking support ” , said Ms Cora.
The overarching purpose of Bowen Health Connection was to make local health services more visible and approachable, giving residents the opportunity to access programs which support their health and ultimately improve their quality of life. Booths and displays were erected for a range of health services, with providers on deck to answer questions and supply attendees with resources.
“Our goal was to give locals a clearer picture of the health services available to them here in the community,” said Ms Ferguson.
The event was made possible through the generous funding from Give Queensland and Q call, whose support allowed the organisers to breathe life into the idea. Both Ms Cora and Ms Ferguson expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the funding and the strong community turnout.
By shifting the focus on inclusion, awareness and access, The Bowen Health Connection succeeded in ensuring essential health information was delivered to the individuals most in need.
“We hope this becomes a regular event,” said Ms Ferguson. “Because healthy communities start with connection.
The dedicated team at the Bowen Community Centre Josephine Ferguson, Stephanie Cora, Unknown. Photo Credit: Munir Kilic
The Landholders of Collinsville travelled hundreds of kilometres, seeking illumination on Queensland's vegetation management laws at a workshop created by NQ Dry Tropics.
The whole day event provided graziers with vital insights and tools for presiding over their properties sustainably. Peter Webley and Scott Devaney of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, Regional and Rural Development outlined chief aspects of the vegetation management laws and highlighted essential resources.
The purpose of these laws is to safeguard native flora, reduce land degradation, preserve biodiversity, stabilise soil, decrease erosion, and enrich water quality through minimisation of sediment runoff into waterways.
John Skinner, the owner White Kangaroo Station, found the workshop invaluable.
“I was interested to hear if there had been any changes to the laws following the change in government and to suss out what was involved in getting a PMAV”, he said.
Department staff recommended landholders to pursue a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV), which clarifies regional ecosystems and vegetation categories, providing valuable assistance in the making of informed land management decisions.
"It's important to keep meeting with government staff, to have these conversations so we stay front-of-mind," Mr Skinner added.
Stephanie Tudehope of Landers Creek Station also found face-to-face workshops extremely beneficial.
"The workshop was a time-saver. It was nice to put a face to the person on the phone and I could ask the dumb questions," she said.
Workshop attendees learned about vegetation categories, including Category X, imposing minimal restrictions. Graziers were also urged to utilise VegHub, a free support service reachable at 135 834. Staffed by highly experienced regional personnel, VegHub assists landholders in navigating vegetation laws seamlessly and effectively.
The workshop, jointly hosted by the Landholders Driving Change project, funded through partnerships with the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and the Queensland Government's Reef Water Quality Program, is part of the Queensland Government's community-focused approach in the Bowen, Broken, Bogie area with the next workshop being held in Kilcummin on Tuesday the 15th of April.
Attendees of the Vegetation Management Workshop in Collinsville. Photo Provided
Workshop in progress. Photo Provided
Big thanks to the wonderful individuals keeping the youngsters of the community safe as they cross our busy and wet roads. All parents, guardians and bus drivers alike would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Kym Blackburn and the entire Lollipop Team for their unwavering dedication and service to the community.
Every morning and afternoon, they work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our children as they cross the bustling streets, allowing them to reach school and home without worry. The Lollipop Team not only prioritises the well-being of our young ones, and other pedestrians needing to cross, but they also play a vital role in keeping traffic flowing smoothly without anyone risking a game of human Frogger.
Their efforts make a significant difference, and it’s truly appreciated by both the families and bus drivers in the area. Whitsunday Transit expressed that their bus drivers always enjoy waving to the Lollipop Team each morning, and it's clear that their hard work makes our community a better place. Thank you, Kym, and to all the amazing members of the Lollipop Team for everything you do!
Kym Blackburn of the Lollipop Team. Photo sourced: Whitsunday Transit Facebook Page
In the heart of the Whitsundays, Green Energy Technologies (GET), a company owned and operated by locals for locals, boldly blazes the trail towards North Queensland's renewable future.
Established in 2010 by director Kon Flaherty and James Webb, GET has experienced explosive growth from a small team of five to over 90 dedicated staff, witnessing a tremendous 30 per cent growth rate each year across offices in the Whitsundays, Mackay and Townsville. GET is Queensland's number one solar installer, delivering expertly tailored solar and battery solutions to homes and businesses across the region for over 15 years.
For Whitsundays locals, GET’s unwavering commitment to community-driven service guarantees that sustainable energy is affordable and accessible for decades to come. All of which is made possible through the steadfast effort of GET’s expert staff.
One such expert is Senior Renewable Energy Specialist, Ian Eman, who joined GET in 2019.
Ian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his background as an electrical engineer and his time at United Energy in Victoria. Transitioning to GET after a stint in real estate, Ian now fuses his technical proficiency with his strong customer relationship skills in order to deliver client-focused solar and battery solutions to Whitsunday locals.
“Our goal is simple; our entire focus is the client's electricity bill and how to reduce it to zero.
“That’s what sets us apart, we are not a product-focused solar company, our focus is on our clients,” explains Ian.
GET achieves this goal through premium solar systems and an innovative monitoring application that tracks savings, identifies battery needs and ensures long-term performance. The systems are built to endure, with warranties and guarantees for a minimum of 10 years. Installation takes just 4-6 weeks, and every GET system brings with it a lifetime service guarantee covering repairs, maintenance, and diagnostics.
For Ian and the GET team, affordability is a key priority; therefore, to dispel the myth that switching to solar costs $10,000 to $40,000 upfront, Ian draws attention to Government rebates and zero-interest green loans, which make the switch to solar seamless, requiring no upfront costs.
"Clients save money immediately with their repayments being less than or equal to what they pay for remaining on the grid.” Ian added.
It is important to note that the environmental impact is profound. A 6.6 kW system offsets carbon equivalent to replanting 300 trees annually, while a 13kW system doubles that to 600 trees. This aligns with GET’s mission to transition Australia to renewables with “a reliable, high-performance solar solution, backed by our savings guarantee.”
GET understands the Whitsundays’ unique needs and empowers residents to embrace clean energy to contribute to a greener future for Queensland.
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